Monitor on Psychology - November 2011 - (Page 27)

A in Brazil and psychologists there are now planning to translate s a welfare consultant in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the ACT materials into Portuguese and kick-start the program. psychologist Shiara Francisquini-Oquendo, PsyD, saw Meanwhile, Colombian psychologist Maria Clara Cuevas, PhD, child abuse and domestic violence almost daily. To of the University of Valle, brought two U.S. ACT experts to Cali learn ways to curb such violence, she traveled to Miami last to train facilitators in July, and psychologists at the University October to train to be a facilitator for the Adults and Children of San Martín de Porres in Lima, Peru, will begin hosting Together Against Violence (ACT) Parents Raising Safe Kids ACT trainings and parenting groups this year. Psychologists in program. The violence prevention program, developed by Cyprus and Guatemala are interested in introducing the violence APA and the National Association for the Education of Young prevention program in their countries as well, says Silva. Children in 2001, teaches families and communities how to The program appeals to a broad range of cultures because it create safe, nonviolent environments for children. uses a universal curriculum that is non-judgmental, and is for “I wanted to give our low-income families some strategies parents from all backgrounds regardless of their level of risk for to better discipline their kids,” says Francisquini-Oquendo. maltreatment. In addition, the program is inexpensive and easy “I wanted something that would protect the children from to implement, Silva says. violence and also help the parents set a good example.” “ACT is not just about child abuse,” says Silva. “It’s for Francisquini-Oquendo found what she was looking for anyone who wants to learn more about the most effective through ACT. She learned parenting skills, positive discipline ways of raising children. We want to help build strong and safe strategies and ways to protect children from media violence that families.” she is now passing on to parents in Puerto Rico through eight Plus, research shows it works. Last year, an independent weeks of two-hour classes. evaluation of the program in the United States conducted by Since her training, Francisquini-Oquendo has taught four researchers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte groups of 25 parents each. Her classes have been a success so far, found that ACT improved parenting skills and reduced the use with graduates returning to speak about how well the parenting of harsh verbal and physical discipline. strategies work at home and spreading the word in their Families around the globe may soon reap the benefits of communities, she says. ACT, says Silva. “ACT is a universal, much-needed program.” n “These [parents] feel like they aren’t alone in facing the challenges of raising their children in communities with high For more information on ACT Parents Raising Safe Kids, violence rates,” she says. visit http://actagainstviolence.apa.org. ACT has also taken off in Greece, where psychologist Pantelis Proios introduced the program in 2007 through a partnership with the Association of Greek Psychologists. He and three colleagues trained as facilitators at an ACT workshop in Washington, D.C., Want to launch then spent months translating ACT’s a violence educational materials into Greek. They have prevention since presented dozens of violence prevention project? seminars to parents, teachers and mental health The American Psychological professionals throughout the country. Foundation encourages “There is constant demand for longer psychologists who study seminars and more seminars,” says Proios. violence to apply for one “Domestic violence is a very big issue here of its Visionary Grants, right now, and so is the effect of media on which support original young children.” psychological research, In addition to running trainings in Greece, education and intervention Proios and colleague Artemis Giotsa, PhD, projects on the topic. For presented ACT’s teachings at the International more information, go to the Conference on Psychology in Bulgaria, where Visionary and Drs. Raymond Dr. Corinne Datchi-Phillips used her colleagues from Italy, Romania and Bulgaria 2011 APF Violence Prevention and A. and Rosalee G. Weiss expressed an interest in getting training to be Intervention Grant to adapt a successResearch and Program able to teach ACT courses. ful rehabilitation program for juvenile Innovation Fund Grants Web Now, ACT is primed to expand to several violent offenders to enable them to page at www.apa.org/apf/ more countries, says Julia M. Silva, who directs improve relationships with their famifunding/vision-weiss.aspx. lies and transition back into society. the APA’s Violence Prevention Office. Last October, she presented on ACT at a conference 27 n ov e M b e r 2 0 1 1 • M o n i to r o n p s yc h o l o g y http://actagainstviolence.apa.org http://www.apa.org/apf/funding/vision-weiss.aspx http://www.apa.org/apf/funding/vision-weiss.aspx

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - November 2011

Monitor on Psychology - November 2011
Letters
President’s Column
Contents
Guest Column
‘Grand Challenges’ offers blueprint for mental health research
Documentary seeks to reach parents of LGBT kids
Treating veterans will cost at least $5 billion by 2020
Selfless volunteering might lengthen your life
Combat and stress up among U.S. military in Afghanistan
South Africa to host international psychology conference
Study uncovers a reason behind sex differences in mental illness
Navy psychologist gives a voice to combat trauma
In Brief
Psychologist suicide
On Your Behalf
Journey back to Heart Mountain
Psychology is key to pain management, report finds
ACT goes international
Judicial Notebook
Random Sample
Time Capsule
Questionnaire
Science Watch
Behavior change in 15-minute sessions?
Health-care reform 2.0
Perspective on Practice
Giving a heads up on concussion
Practice Profile
Searching for meaning
Inspiring young researchers
Aging, with grace
Public Interest
Thank you!
APA News
Division Spotlight
American Psychological Foundation
The man who gave Head Start a start
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - November 2011

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